Category Overview
Trails grants help communities and recreation areas fund the creation and improvement of trails for walking, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. These grants help make communities more livable, create regional trails systems, and open up beautiful outdoor spaces for people to enjoy. WWRP is the largest source of trail support in the state of Washington.
Project Highlights
Whatcom County will use this grant to reimburse for acquisition of 39.5 acres, referred to as Carrasco, near the South Fork of the Nooksack River and 4 miles southeast of Washington State Route 9 and the town of Acme. The purpose is acquisition and demolition of 3 structures on the property for future trailhead facilities. The property will serve as a trailhead for multiple trail linkages including: to historic Nesset Farm; between areas within South Fork Park; and connections between community assets including west across Stewart Mountain to Lake Whatcom Park, east to Skookum Creek; and south to Edfro Creek. The Carrasco property was under threat of private sale prior to purchase by the County in 2023. Its acquisition is vital to provide public access to historic Nesset Farm. While Nesset Farm’s structures have been preserved since its purchase in 1998, the farmstead has not been developed for public use and interpretation due to lack of public access. The project supports future increases in the availability of economically-beneficial outdoor recreational opportunities in the Acme Valley as trail-centered recreation gains importance following a recent ban on human-powered recreation on the South Fork of the Nooksack River.